Connecting to a tanker in the Harrier isn't particularly easy, with the probe being offset way off to the left like it is. I'm certainly no pro on it, so I thought this might be a good place for people to share whatever tips/tricks/info they use to get a little gas.
Everyone's references will be slightly different based on how far they're zoomed in, etc, but what I try to do is set up the sight picture shown in the attached picture. I basically am focusing just on the two points shown by the two red arrows. Horizontally I try to line up that upper left corner of the HUD glass with the middle bottom of the KC-130 refueling pod, and vertically I try to keep the two points about the distance apart you see there.
Once I have the two references points lined up, I start advancing VERY SLOWLY forward, focusing on the two points and not the basket. When the basket disappears out of my vision on the left, I still keep looking forward at my two points. Normally I don't ever look over at the probe during the whole process. Sometimes I'll get lucky and it will actually connect. More ofthen than not I'll miss and the basket will pass by the probe. As soon as I think I've gone beyond the basket, I'll try to stabilize my speed so I'm not moving forward or backward any more, while still trying to keep the reference points lined up right. When everything is set up and stabilized, I'll come off the throttle a tiny bit and start VERY SLOWLY (almost imperceptibly) backing up while keeping my sight picture, and sometimes I catch the basket on the way back. I try to anticipate that and be ready to goose the throttle a little if/when it connects to stop my backward motion. Repeat indefinitely until I connect or run out of gas.
After I've connected, I move forward a bit to give myself some slack in the hose.
As Razor has said, once you do connect it's not too difficult to stay in position while the gas is transferring, although you can get out of sorts real quick and get disconnected if don't pay attention.
Also, you may have noticed a green light in the KC-130 refueling pod (the green arrow on the picture), right above where the hose comes out. While you're connected and getting gas, that light will normally be solid green. But if you creep up too close to the tanker, or if you get too far back, the green light will go out. I think fuel is still flowing, but you need to move forward or backward to get it back in the green. Once the transfer is complete, the green light will start flashing. Also, it may flash while you're trying to connect, I don't remember.
And for the S-3B Viking I do the same thing.
So...I'm sure that's not they way they teach it in Harrier school, but it's the way I do it for now. Any other ideas are welcome!
